On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court ordered the state government to strictly implement its menstrual leave policy, which allows women to take one paid day off per month. Justice M Nagaprasanna highlighted that menstruation is a natural part of women's reproductive health and should be recognized in workplace policies. The court stated that this policy is not just an administrative matter but is linked to fundamental rights and equality. The Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025, which is currently under consideration, aims to formalize this policy across both organized and unorganized sectors. The court's ruling came in response to a petition from Chandravva Hanamant Gokavi, who argued that women often face inadequate working conditions during their menstrual cycles. The court emphasized the need for the state to ensure that workplaces are sensitized to these issues, reinforcing that true equality involves accommodating biological differences rather than ignoring them. The decision is seen as a significant step towards improving women's rights and workplace dignity in Karnataka.